Christianity

Intercessions

On this day, let us pray for all concerned with criminal justice, saying: Lord, in your mercy, hear our Prayer.

For those charged with enforcing the law, that they may be diligent and just in the face of anger and violence: Lord, in your mercy.

For those who have committed crime without being caught, that their conscience may lead them back to responsible living: Lord, in your mercy...

For the guilty when arrested, that they may take the opportunity to correct their ways: Lord, in your mercy...

For those who depend on alcohol and drugs, that they may see the destructiveness of their behavior and seek to cure their addiction: Lord, in your mercy...

For those called on to judge the actions of others, that they may administer justice with wisdom and compassion: Lord, in your mercy...

For those in prison, and for the families and friends from whom they are separated: Lord, in your mercy...

For those made hard and cynical by life in prison; for those whose consciences are dulled and have lost their sense of responsibility: Lord, in your mercy...

For those in prison who are weak and abused by the strong: Lord, in your mercy...

For all who work in prisons, that they may see this as a vocation to Christian service: Lord, in your mercy...

For the victims of crime, that they may find both justice and healing: Lord, in your mercy...

For ourselves, that we may respond with reconciling love in the face of fear, hurt, helplessness and anger: Lord, in your mercy...

For the church, that we may work with families, schools and all who seek to guide young lives to fulfillment in our society: Lord, in your mercy...

Most merciful God,
Your beloved son Jesus Christ
Dying on the Cross,
Promised paradise to the penitent thief;
Grant your blessing to all those who work for
Justice and reconciliation,
That in the strength of your love,
They may help restore the wholeness of society;
This we ask through Jesus Christ our forgiving Lord.

Broken Wings Take New Flight

Despite the great variety of circumstances, all those who are hurt by crime experience brokenness. A whole range of possible responses attempts to address this brokenness and make things better. Some of these responses lead to healing; some do not.

When restorative justice principles inform our responses, healing becomes a first priority. When faith in Christ serves as the motivation for our responses, the source of the healing is the love of God, the love which brought new life to the world through the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus.

Victims of crime need the good news of God's love if they are to see a way forward in their brokenness. Offenders need the good news of God's love if they are to take responsibility for the hurt they have caused and to find ways to make amends. Communities affected by crime need the good news of God's love if their members are to support victims, help reintegrate offenders and build relationships capable of preventing further crime.

When brokenness is acknowledged and healing happens, new possibilities emerge. People can find that the very experience which 'broke' them can now serve as a source of strength for themselves and for others.

The song Broken Wings was written by an inmate to describe both his brokenness -dating from his childhood when his parents told him that God could never love him- and the healing he experienced when his faith eventually led him to believe that Jesus in fact does love him. His story is a testimony to the difference it makes to know you are loved and offers hope to victims and offenders alike.for "with God nothing is impossible." (Luke 1:37)

Broken wings, wounded heart
Dreams that couldn't come true
Shattered hopes, because of lies
That I couldn't see through
Reaching for love, finding pain
Build the walls or get hurt again
No on tells the truth anymore
Broken Spirit, untried wings
So afraid to fly.

Like a rose without the sun
The spirit just withers and dies
I reached for the sun, found the rain
Ran away to avoid the pain
But I can't hide anymore
Now my spirit wants to fly
Spread its wings
and soar high in the sky
Till I could almost touch the hand of God

Like the thorns upon the rose
There will be hard times
So I will trust my heart to Him
Whose power is greater than mine
He will keep and give me rest
He will guide me through every test
He will always be there when I call
Jesus loves me this I know
Because the Bible tells me so
Jesus loves me this I know

James Motherall

Victims

For those living with the physical, emotional, financial or spiritual harm caused to them by the crimes of others; for relief from their burdens of fear, anger and guilt; that they might find the strength, support and healing they need:

Offenders

For those in prison for the first time and those made hard by prison life; for the weak who are abused by the strong and those who desperately long to be accepted; for the unloved and the unwanted who receive neither letter nor visit; that they may find the strength, support and healing they need:

Christian Communities

For those whose thoughts turn into prayer and whose prayer turns into action:

For those who show forth the gifts of the Spirit in love, joy and peace; for those who are patient, good, gentle, self-controlled and faithful:

For those whose love bears all things, hopes all things, endures all things; for those whose love never ends:

Legislators, criminal justice personnel, correctional staff, chaplains and volunteers

For those who judge the actions of others, who need wisdom in the application of justice and understanding of those in their care:

For those who through word and deed bring true humanity to relationships and show compassion to others in their need.

Families

For all family members who share the destructive experience of victimization by criminal behaviour, by the criminal justice system, by the media and by hurtful social expectations:

For those who have family members in prison and feel the pain of separation, the stigma of being related to an offender and the strain of keeping going from day to day:

Communities

For those contemplating crime at this time and for those who may be harmed by them; for those who are able to prevent crime and build safer communities; for those who support victims and enable safe reintegration of offenders; for all who bless and are blessed by being peacemakers; for all who watch and care for "the least of these my children" (Matthew 25):

Repairing Harm: Restoring Hope

There are both concrete steps to be taken and spiritual concerns to be addressed when restorative justice principles are called into play. The danger of focussing on one at the expense of the other presents an on-going challenge for Christians as they attempt to repair the harm done and to bring a message of hope.

"The question to wrestle with in choosing how we respond to crime is not 'how to eliminate crime or conflict' but rather what kind of values do we want to have reflected in what we choose to do.what kind of people we want to be? Can we find some deeper values that make it possible to continue living together again despite having hurt each other and broken trust? Can we sift through these painful experiences to help each other find some understanding of how this could have happened.to build confidence that we can still have a future together as human beings in this community." (Lorraine Berzins, Church Council on Justice and Corrections)

Our thanks to James for permission to print his poem.

Responsive Reading

One: God, we pray for all the people in the criminal justice system.

All: For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself." (Gal. 5:14)

One: Forgive our self-righteousness when we judge others and ignore our own sins.

All: Do not speak evil against another.There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save and to destroy. So who, then, are you to judge your neighbour? (James 4:11-12)

One: We pray for all who are in prisons of jails.

All: I was in prison and you visited me. (Matt. 25:38)

One: We pray for all victims, for families, for all who are hurt by criminal behaviour.

All: Remember those who are in prison as though you were in prison with them. (Heb 13:3)

One: We confess that we are a part of a system and a society that reflects prejudice, poverty, injustice.

All: Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you.have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice mercy and faith. (Matt. 23:23)

One: Help us to look at our priorities as we build more prisons instead of rebuilding lives and communities.

All: The Lord.executes justice for the oppressed.The Lord sets the prisoners free. (Ps 146:5-7)

One: O Lord, we pray for strength in our commitment and courage in our service.

All: And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. (Mic. 6:8)